JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH --
Texas State Representative John Lujan visited Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph May 31 to tour the 12th Flying Training Wing and learn about
its mission.
The 12th FTW hosted Lujan during an afternoon visit
which included a mission brief, tour of an air traffic control tower, T-6 and T-38
simulators, a T-38 static display and a flying squadron tour.
Lujan was greeted for the tour by Col. Michael Snell, 12th
FTW vice commander, and Lt. Col. Emil Bliss, 12th FTW Community Initiatives
director.
The tour started with a mission brief in building 100, 12th
FTW headquarters. During the brief, 12th FTW leadership spoke to Lujan
about how the 12th FTW orchestrates training for different airframes in units
at three different geographic locations.
“The 12th Flying Training Wing is unique in that it trains
different types of Air Force aviators at various stages in their military
careers. The 12th FTW could train an Air Force Academy cadet in basic gliding
or parachuting prior to graduation and then train that same individual as a
Combat Systems Officer or Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot after graduation," Snell said. Later
in their careers we may train them to be instructor pilots, readying them to
teach at our pilot training locations. We
are very proud to train Airmen in the fundamentals of airmanship, instruction,
and leadership in several locations across the country and at every point in a
career, from cadets to wing commanders.”
At the East air traffic control tower, Lt. Col. Robin
Baldwin, 12th Operations Support Squadron commander, explained the complexity
of air traffic control at JBSA-Randolph. Bliss then showed Lujan how terrain
around the runways has developed in recent years, stating that increased
development near JBSA-Randolph may come with obstacles to flying mission
success.
The visit also included a trip to the 12th
Operations Support Squadron simulators, where 12 OSS personnel showed Lujan what pilots see when they fly at JBSA-Randolph. The simulators are used
for flight training in both routine and emergency situations, including bird
strikes.
The last tour stop allowed Lujan to see the 12th FTW
mission up close with a T-38 static display and a tour of the 435th
Fighter Training Squadron. T-38s are used to train fighter pilot candidates and
instructor pilots at JBSA-Randolph.
“I am so proud to represent and work with JBSA-Randolph in
House District 118. I was overwhelmed by the importance of their mission for
our country. The Texas Legislature must do whatever we can to support
JBSA-Randolph in their mission,” Lujan said.